Sunday, September 7, 2014

Laz and Lachi Publications is the combined writing team of J.T. Cheyanne and V.L. Moon. The two met in 2010, fell hard and fast for each other and married in April 2014. They write both independently and together in the gay erotica and gay paranormal genres. They also have a couple of contemporary romance novels under their belt.

Not everything in Heaven is as holy as it seems. In Crimson Ties, the second installment of the Crimson Nights Saga, Laziel is nowhere to be found, and with the ferocity of Malachi Denali's vampiric temperament growing out of control, Rome's Vatican enclave and those that dwell there risk everything to keep their King's throne out of Darklon De Sangue's treacherous hands.As Darklon's mental state deteriorates, his treasonous plans to overthrow Malachi know no bounds. With Arial dancing upon a deadly double-edged sword and working to gain Darklon's trust, this continuing saga keeps everyone on tenterhooks as new treaties are strengthened and friendships are forged by oaths and blood. Will Laziel return in time to save Malachi from those that threaten the male he loves, or will the fury of Malachi's distain for emotion see Laziel ascend if he refuses to accept the hand that destiny has dealt him and the gift of his angel's love?With emotions running high, and Malachi's past turning up to haunt them both in the form of the mysterious Vischeral Bourne, the twists and turns may prove too much for Laziel and his vampire. While Malachi and Laziel struggle with fate, an alliance with the wolves and the secrets behind the Nephilim and their sadistic Queen threaten to rock the very foundations of the supernatural world.Who knows what ties will bind and which will fade away.With a high element of supernatural romance and erotic sexcapades between male lovers, Crimson Ties may not be to some people's taste, but for those brave enough to step into the wicked world of Laz and Lachi, we hope that you will read and thoroughly enjoy.

Review

My Rating: (5 of 5 Stars) 5

The multiplier rating takes effect.

Highly Recommended

I have to confess, reading Crimson Reign was slow on the uptake for me. I just could not connect with the whole plot of angels and demons and such. I normally don't read these kinds of stories for personal reasons but there was just something about the book that made it impossible to put it down. Knowing I was committed to read this second installment was my actual drive. Yes, that read was slow for me, it took me weeks, but when I started to read Crimson Ties, I was just gobsmacked surprised, elated, and just plain astonished that this kept me reading till the wee hours of the morning that I needed to connect with a good friend who just woke up from across the world, sent her a crying chicken message and asked: What. In. Heck. Just. Happened!?

No, I don't normally read angels and demons, especially the heavenly and hell types. Maybe something to do with my background. Thing is, once I got through Reign, I was now familiar with Malachi and Laziel and the supporting cast of characters. In this second installment, where book one ends, this one opens, we have a plot that unfolds so unexpectedly and so fast that I stayed seated until the book said: To Be Continued....

Whoa!

This is a story of second chances as formulated, planned and executed by the Father himself and no one was any wiser, not even Laziel. Imagine his consternation and confusion when events so unexpected, unfolded and he was within that core. Not knowing what to do but to protect those he loved, his sacrifice was an intelligent decision. Yes, it would cut Lachi to the core. Yes, it would send their world into chaos and violence. But his need to protect took precedence, even if it cost him his life and his connection with Lachi.

Lachi is lost without his angel and no matter what he did, violent or more violent and even bloodier violent, he could not see nor sense any solution. He was fading into his bloodlust and his conclave was suffering for it.

In the background, we have Darklon, sinking more and more into his own depravity and dementia, his delusions of grandeur and his egotistical need for power and wielding it. His decisions rock the core of the conclave but does set the course for the prophecy to be finally realized. The rise of the Nephilim Queen complicates the already chaotic world but may just be the solution that will finally unite all. As for Arial and Vischeral, their course was set for them with the unfolding of events and it was either go with the flow or go against it and be lost. Their decision will make or break both of them.

Crimson Nights Saga is a surprise read at every turn. There is sex, violence, torture, action, blood and gore. There is also romance and a love eternal so sweet and painful it is hard to read and bear. The authors outdid their lovely selves with this one and I applaud them.

As for my question: What in heck happened? Ties happened.

Ties severed are rewoven once more with the thread of purest love that is stronger than any material ever made by man or otherwise. This is the beginning for me, when Lachi's and Laziel's love are tied for all of eternity, out in the open and admitted, when their pure love resulted into something even more beautiful. This is one tie that will not only hold up to tests and time but will become the tether for the unification of paranormals to fight the threat of all evil.

Awesome.

Fantastic.

Just. A. Freakingly. Fantastic. Great. Read!

Excerpt

“As the female once sang…Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be,” Laziel’s voice sounded almost melodic, and Arial momentarily pushed aside the feeling of foreboding weighing him down.

“You seriously didn’t just quote Doris fucking Day of all people. Jesus Mary and Joseph, you’ll be singing Surrey with the Fringe on Top to me next,” Arial teased.

“Oh, you know that one do you? I could just imagine you acting out Curly for me. Want to duet?” Lorenza’s eyes held so much mischief it was easy to believe things would turn out for the best. But, Arial wasn’t so young or so foolish anymore.

He forced a smile as he gently lifted Loz and placed her petite frame back on the chaise lounge. He needed to leave, but the thought of leaving Laziel alone filled Arial with dread. Dainty fingers caught his hand and gripped his fingers tight.

“Let fate lead the way, Arial. One day at a time. Just look after Lachi for me. Please. Keep that arrogant fucker from hurting himself, and if you do bang heads again. Play nice.” Laziel’s tone although playful still held a hint of warning.

“I swore an oath, remember, one where I pledged my allegiance to him,” Arial stated. “But, nowhere in that oath did it state your creation could attempt to rip my damn throat out, or drink my blood. I could have fucking killed him with the toxins running through my veins. Its pure evil, the very filth of Lucifer’s demon spawn, and he had it in his mouth. Creator save me, Laziel he had that shit in his god damned stupid mouth. I saw the look on his face and it wasn’t good.”

Arial shook his head. “He tries that shit with me one more time, and I’ll knock that superior son of a bitch right onto his regal arrogant ass, oath or no oath. I won’t be responsible for poisoning the very thing I promised to protect.” Shame contorted Arial’s face.

As much as he tried to hide it, the indignity he felt toward his curse threatened to consume him. His chest went tight, and the tattered remains of his once glorious wings drooped. The visual reminder slammed into Arial, robbing him of breath and buckling his knees until his powerful, towering frame played the horizontal tango with the hard wooden floor.

A pulse of light preceded the gift of life breathed into the coldest and darkest of souls. Bathed in the glow of celestial love and swathed in a blanket of black satin wings nestled a king among kings, a vampire born to destroy the decay threatening to eradicate the race he was destined to save.

An angelic heart torn by yearning, suffering and pain throbbed to the rhythm of the life he created; a life prophesied in the scriptures by the Creator's own hand. A vow of servitude given in blood sealed the fate of a Seraphim's heart and tied it eternally to the creation he craves, protects, loves.

Ancient treaties are lost and reborn, rising from the ashes as the Nephilim ravage the vampire race. The deviant desire that soared in Malachi Denali's blood threatens to bring Rome to its knees when Malachi's world, his soul and his heart are brutally shattered and torn apart.

Will purity born of an angel's love be enough to calm the savage mind of Malachi Denali? Or will Laziel be doomed to a life of purgatory for loving the life he was gifted to create?

This is not a HEA, or even a HFN. Who knows what will happen to seal their fate, only time will tell. Vampires, angels, demons and wolves together with love, betrayal, sadness and yearning make up the ongoing story that is.

4 comments:

OMBG!!!!!!!!! I had tears in my eyes reading your review. I am beyond thrilled you gave us a chance and read our work. Totally grinning like a fool. Loved being here with you! Thank you for taking part!